Archive for the ‘Football’ Category

The Blue Knights consortium are among four bidders to have submitted offers for Rangers and the club could exit administration before the end of the season.

The Paul Murray-led and Ticketus-supported group made their offer before Wednesday’s 5pm deadline along with three rival consortiums.

A group from Singapore, a group from the USA and a group from Europe, and specifically Germany, are also understood by Sky Sports to have made bids.

Rangers administrators Duff & Phelps will now consider the offers to decide which is the best deal to accept, a conclusion they hope to reach next week.

The administrators will think about the different scenarios regarding the possible inclusions of company voluntary agreements or liquidation, but they do hope Rangers could exit administration before the end of the season.

David Whitehouse, joint administrator, said: “Following our announcement on March 30, that best and final bids for control of Rangers Football Club should be submitted by April 5, I can confirm we have received four bids by close of business today.

‘Positive and constructive’

“The bids are structured in various ways but I would describe them as positive and constructive.

“The administration team will now analyse these bids over the forthcoming days and hold discussions with relevant parties to gain further understanding of the details of their bids.

“It will be our intention to accept an offer next week and this will be followed by a period of due diligence and exclusivity.

“At this stage, we cannot be precise in timescale but estimate that an exit from administration before the end of the season is achievable.

“We appreciate the need to conclude this process as quickly as possible.

“It is, however, most important to secure the best possible outcome for creditors, Rangers Football Club and its supporters.”

Brian Kennedy, the Sale Sharks owner, is not thought to have made any bid.

Steven Caulker: Has impressed at Swansea and could be set for an extended stay

Brendan Rodgers has spoken to Harry Redknapp about bringing on-loan Tottenham defender Steven Caulker back to Swansea next season.

The 20-year-old centre-back has made a big impact at the Liberty Stadium this season, adapting well to Swansea’s style of play and forming a strong partnership with Ashley Williams at the heart of the defence.

And while Spurs are unlikely to want to sell the England Under-21 international, Rodgers is hopeful of securing an extension to the player’s loan spell with the Swans.

Rodgers said: “I spoke to Harry at length (following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane), and just generally he understands Steven has had a fantastic season and it will be between now and the end of the season before they determine where he will go, it will depend on the club and where they are at.

“He has made a massive jump in his career through playing games here, and it’s down to where they see him fitting in there next season.

“He will be going back to Tottenham for pre-season, it will then depend on whether he is seen as one who will be part of their squad, whether he is going to play or whether he needs more games.

Great asset

“For me, he is a young player, he is 20 years of age, who the more he can play the better he will become, and he will become a great asset for Tottenham I am sure.

“He could well come back on loan next season whether it will be here will be another question, but that will be nothing that will be answered until they bring him back in, have a look at the squad they have got and take it from there.”

Caulker himself is continuing to focus on his short-term goal – picking up points with Swansea.

“We aren’t mathematically safe yet, so we still want to get a few more points on the board, but after that we’d like to finish as high as possible,” he said.

“If we can do that, then it would be a great end to the season and a successful campaign overall as well.”

Watching brief

Caulker had a watching brief for Sunday’s game between Spurs and Swansea at White Hart Lane, as he was unable to play against his parent club.

But the youngster felt the visitors did themselves justice, as he added: “Obviously, it was a difficult game for the lads and my loyalties were split, but I thought that it was a good game for the neutrals too and at 1-1 it could have gone either way.

“I think that a large part of our success has been defensively as well because we’ve managed to keep 12 clean sheets this season.

“Not only have we kept the ball and attacked well, but we’ve managed to keep it steady at the back too.

“I played against Swansea last season and they were strong both on and off the ball then as well, which has continued this year in the Premier League.”

Sir Alex Ferguson: Still believes the clash with City is bound to have an impact on the title race

Sir Alex Ferguson still thinks the Manchester derby could decide the Premier League title despite the widening gap between United and City.

Ferguson’s men moved five points clear of their local rivals after Monday’s 2-0 victory over Blackburn and have now won their last seven league matches.

In contrast, City have won only one of their last four games and could be eight points behind the champions when they kick-off at Arsenal on Sunday.

It is even conceivable that the title could be wrapped up by the time the two teams meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 30.

But Ferguson told Northern Irish radio station U105.8fm: “Derby games are always important, and it could be even more important this year.

“It’s bound to have an impact on the eventual winner, albeit that we’re going into it with a nice, healthy lead.”

And Ferguson was keen to highlight the contribution of Northern Ireland international defender Jonny Evans in recent months.

Filling the void

Evans has been asked to fill the void left by Nemanja Vidic, who suffered a serious knee injury in December, and has responded with a series of impressive displays.

“He’s been excellent,” said Ferguson. “He’s maturing, his form in the last two months with Rio Ferdinand has been absolutely fantastic and that’s really important to have a partnership at the back that’s consistent and playing all the time.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson revealed he will take his strongest available squad to Northern Ireland for the testimonial of former United goalkeeper Harry Gregg at Windsor Park on May 15.

United will face an Irish League Select XI managed by Sunderland’s Martin O’Neill and Linfield boss David Jeffrey to honour the 79-year-old Gregg, a hero of the Munich disaster.

“We’re bringing our strongest team over,” added Ferguson.

“For Manchester United to honour a player who, apart from (saving) his peers from the Munich air disaster, you’ve got to remember the career he had here. It’s absolutely apt that we send our best squad.”

The Blue Knights consortium has confirmed it has submitted its ‘best and final’ bid to take over Rangers ahead of Wednesday’s 5pm deadline.

The group is headed up by former Gers director Paul Murray and is one of several parties expected to launch offers for the Old Firm giants, who were placed into administration in February.

Joint administrators Duff and Phelps confirmed on Tuesday that they were expecting to receive up to five bids for Rangers before the deadline.

A US-led consortium involving Club 9 Sports and a Singapore group are also interested in a possible takeover, while Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy is waiting in the wings.

Kennedy has admitted the prospect of Gers going into liquidation ‘frightens the living hell’ out of him, but he is only expected to make an offer if the eventual preferred bidders’ intend to create a newco.

More to follow…

Lucas Moura: Wanted by a host of clubs

Lucas Moura’s agent has reiterated that Manchester United are keen to land the Sao Paulo midfielder.

The 19-year-old is widely acknowledged as one of the best prospects in Brazil, and he already has more than 10 caps for the senior team to his name.

United and Bayern Munich were linked last summer, with his agent Wagner Ribeiro claiming the pair made contact. He also revealed Inter Milan had interest rebuffed in January.

Now Ribeiro has stated once again that United are in contact, whilst also saying Inter are still keen – but he also revealed that Chelsea have joined the chase.

“I have to say that Inter, Chelsea and Manchester United have already been in contact with me about him,” Ribeiro told Globo Esporte.

“He has the perfect profile to play in Europe – he’s a good player, very rapid and he knows how to shoot.

“However, a possible move doesn’t depend on me. You firstly have to speak with the club and then the player.

“At the moment the player wants to stay at Sao Paulo and the club don’t want to sell him.”

Kurt Zouma: Considered to be one of hottest prospects in French football

Highly-rated defender Kurt Zouma has ended speculation surrounding his future by penning a contract extension at St Etienne.

The 17-year-old, who has burst onto the senior scene this season, has signed up for another two years.

Zouma is a product of St Etienne’s academy system and has scored two goals in 18 appearances this term.

His potential is clear for all to see and some of Europe’s top clubs were believed to be closely monitoring his situation.

He only penned his first professional contract in 2011, but has seen his rapid progress rewarded with fresh terms.

Zouma is now tied to St Etienne until the summer of 2016.

Meanwhile, Ismael Diomande has also committed his long-term future to the Ligue 1 outfit.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who made his debut earlier this season, has agreed to a three-year extension.

Daniel Majstorovic: Celtic defender is focused on his recovery and will wait for talks over his future

Daniel Majstorovic is focusing on his recovery from a serious knee injury and is happy to wait for talks regarding his future at Celtic.

The veteran defender damaged his cruciate ligament in February while on international duty with Sweden and he will miss the remainder of the SPL season and Euro 2012.

His contract expires in the summer and he has been linked with a return to former club Malmo as he weighs up his future options.

Majstorovic is confident he will return to action and is pleased with the way his rehabilitation from the serious injury is progressing.

Happy

“It is getting a lot better, the medical staff are very happy and I’m happy,” said Majstorovic.

“If everything goes well and I progress as I am now, I think I might start to run in eight to 10 weeks.

“My contract runs out in June so there will be a time when we need to talk about it. There will be a point where we see what’s going to happen.

“But the main thing for me now is (rehabilitation). I am so focused on my rehab, that is my priority.

“I am not worried. I know my fitness and I know there is so much more that I want achieve.

“I am still so motivated and hungry so the priority is to have a good rehab now. I will take it step by step now.”

Guilherme Siqueira: Being watched by a host of clubs

Manchester United are understood to have joined the clutch of clubs keeping tabs on Granada full-back Guilherme Siqueira.

The Brazilian-born Italian full-back joined Granada on a permanent basis last summer from Udinese after spending the previous campaign on loan with the Spanish club.

Even though the former Inter Milan man is technically owned by Granada, Udinese still control his future as their president Giampaolo Pozzo owns both clubs.

Reports in Spain claim that both Barcelona and Benfica are both keen on landing the 25-year-old left-back – who has three years left on his current deal.

But United are also believed to be interested after it emerged that their chief scout Martin Ferguson has attended Granada’s last two matches.